Three shootings, one a fatal officer-involved shooting, rocked Poplar Bluff on Friday and Monday.
The officer-involved shooting occurred Monday evening.
According to a press release from the Poplar Bluff Police Department, an officer responded at 8:28 p.m. to the 1000 block of Park Avenue to conduct a welfare check after receiving reports of a subject lying under a vehicle.
As the officer approached, the subject entered his vehicle and locked himself inside. A second officer arrived on the scene and EMS personnel were requested.
According to a statement from Missouri State Highway Patrol, the officers were advised the subject had an active warrant for assault.
The subject reportedly refused medical treatment and barricaded himself in the car after contact with EMS. He refused verbal commands to roll down the window and began revving the engine. The officers removed both front windows in an attempt to take him into custody, but the subject accelerated in reverse, nearly striking an officer. One of the officers discharged their weapon and struck the subject. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Butler County coroner Jim Akers.
Both officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, according to Chief Mike McClain. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating the shooting per standard procedure.
The Poplar Bluff Police Department and MHSP are also investigating two nonfatal shootings in Poplar Bluff.
The first shooting was called in at 5:36 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4. According to police reports, officers responded to a residence in the 1900 block of Sanders Street for a report that someone had been shot. An adult male with a gunshot wound to his leg was taken from the scene by ambulance.
Bystanders reported he was brought to the residence after being shot at another location, but the victim provided no further information about the shooting. PBPD is investigating.
The second shooting happened during the early hours of Monday morning. Officers responded at 2:57 a.m. Aug. 7 to a residence in the 100 block of East Harper Street for a report that someone had been shot. They found an adult male resident with gunshot wounds to his chest. The victim was taken from the scene by ambulance. The victim and witnesses at the scene identified the suspected shooter as an acquaintance, and the case was turned over to MSHP. Parrott stated the investigation is ongoing.
These are developing stories. Further updates will be published as they become available.
This story was updated at 11:41 a.m. Aug. 8.